Dialog reporter
St. Thomas More had a breakthrough season in 2015, going 11-4 and taking a first-round playoff win at home before falling to Wilmington Friends in round two. The Ravens are dreaming even bigger this year.
“I would like to have a winning record more than what we had last year. I think that’s possible with the games that we have. I’m really looking forward to St. E’s because we’ve lost to them all three years,” senior setter Gillian Crawford said.
With only one senior having graduated, St. Thomas More can be excused if they have visions of a deeper tournament run dancing in their heads.
“We’re returning our six strong players that kind of made up the team last year. They’ve come back even stronger, a lot more talent even, more consistent. We’re a small team, but we’re a tough team,” coach Julie Murphy said. “What we have is very strong. Lots of experience.”
The team will rely on the senior leadership, not to mention the talent, of Crawford and Sarah Pool. Pool is an underrated hitter, while Crawford directs the offense as the setter. Several sophomores will play with a year of valuable varsity experience, including hitters Jessica Crawford and Logan Hughes, along with Maddie Murrian, the libero. Sarah Reeves, a senior, also is expected to contribute.
“We have almost the same team. We have the same dynamic,” Crawford said.
But the postseason is still two months away, and Murphy is trying to keep her charges focused on the task at hand, which is the season opener on Sept. 15 at home vs. St. Elizabeth. The Ravens will not be able to sneak up on opponents this season as they may have in the past. That schedule includes home dates against Caesar Rodney and Padua and trips to Delmarva Christian, Milford and Sussex Central. Aquinas Academy will play at St. Thomas More but will be the home team.
“Hopefully, get past quarterfinals,” Pool said.
Schedule
09/15/16 Thursday St. Elizabeth 6:45 p.m.
09/17/16 Saturday TRI STATE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Md.) 1:30 p.m.
09/20/16 Tuesday @ Sussex Academy 5:30 p.m.
09/22/16 Thursday DOVER 4 p.m.
09/24/16 Saturday @ Delmarva Christian 11 am
09/26/16 Monday @ Aquinas Academy 5:30 p.m. (at St. Thomas More)
09/28/16 Wednesday @ Salisbury Christian (Md.) 4 p.m.
10/04/16 Tuesday CAESAR RODNEY 5:30 p.m.
10/06/16 Thursday WOODBRIDGE 5:30 p.m.
10/14/16 Friday SUSSEX TECH 5:30 p.m.
10/17/16 Monday PADUA 5:30 p.m.
10/21/16 Friday @ Milford 5 p.m.
10/22/16 Saturday @ Sussex Central 10 am
10/28/16 Friday @ St. Andrew’s 5:15 p.m.
